Based on a successful novel by Nell Dunn (daughter of wealthy industrialist Sir Philip Dunn), Up the Junction was first turned into a BBC television play in 1965.
The x-certificate film starred Suzy Kendall as Polly, a middle-class girl from Chelsea who becomes bored with her plush lifestyle and decides to move to Battersea, a deprived area of South London.
There, she is confronted with some very heavy issues, including domestic violence, abortion, and the all-around malaise of life in Battersea. Dennis Waterman (later of The Sweeney and Minder fame) co-starred as Peter, Polly’s Lambretta-riding boyfriend.
The film prompted irate reactions, particularly the scene in which a girl has a back street abortion.
An incredible soundtrack features the Mike d’Abo line-up of Manfred Mann.
Polly
Suzy Kendall Peter
Dennis Waterman
Rube
Adrienne Posta
Sylvie
Maureen Lipman
Terry
Michael Gothard
Winny
Hylda Baker
Charlie
Alfie Bass
Mrs McCarthy
Liz Fraser
Pauline
Linda Cole
Rita
Doreen Herrington
Lil
Jessie Robins
May
Barbara Archer
Edith
Ruby Head Joyce
Susan George Sheila
Sandra Williams Figgins
Michael Robbins Mrs Hardy
Queenie Watts
Director
Peter Collinson
Bob Kellet
Related Posts
30 is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia (1968) The much-loved Dudley Moore starred as shy nightclub pianist and composer Rupert Street, who is determined to write a hit…
Mix Me a Person (1962) Harry Jukes (pop singer Adam Faith) is a garage hand of necessity and a guitarist by inclination whose spiritual home…
Poor Cow (1967) Ken Loach‘s first attempt to bring the social concerns and uncompromising style of his TV work – Up The Junction and Cathy Come…
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) The famous Edward Albee play successfully makes the translation to the motion picture screen with excellent performances by Richard Burton,…
Pollyanna (1960) Released in July 1960, this Technicolor Disney film starred young Hayley Mills - daughter of actor John Mills - in…
Harum Scarum (1965) Elvis Presley stars as action movie star Johnny Tyronne, whose real-life becomes adventurous when he is drugged and kidnapped by…
Cape Fear (1962) A grim thriller about Max Cady, an ex-convict who seeks revenge on Sam Bowden - the meek lawyer he believes responsible…
Funny Girl (1968) After enjoying a run of 1,348 performances on Broadway, this autobiography of showgirl Fanny Brice came to the big screen…
